Olympic Snubs over Tibet

[Sarmatian]

Isn't this againt the entire idea and purpose of the Olympic games? I mean this is supposed to be something that connects people, that brings them together, regardless of politics and war... About people, not about goverment policies.

[Geoffrey S]

Politics enter the matter as soon as a country claims the right to host such Games, as soon as it states that it is worthy to be host to a long tradition - as soon as it does so, people have a right to expect certain standards. Arguably, this is not the case in China.

[Moros]

It's not like Tibet is the only reason to boycot the games either.

[woad&fangs]

Tibet pales in comparison to Darfur. Darfur is the very definition of a genocide and the Chinese government funded the perpetrators .

China claiming their boundaries to be that of a former empire is idiotic. Using that logic they should be split up between Japan, Mongolia, and a half dozen European countries.

[Pannonian]

Can the UK boycott the Games as well? That way, we can blame our lack of medals on our clean moral conscience, rather than our crap athletes.

China claiming their boundaries to be that of a former empire is idiotic. Using that logic they should be split up between Japan, Mongolia, and a half dozen European countries.

Do you support the Dalai Lama's position on Tibet?

[woad&fangs]

Do you support the Dalai Lama's position on Tibet?

Yes. It would be easier to negotiate that than full independence and I think it would be the better economic choice.

[Geoffrey S]

Can the UK boycott the Games as well? That way, we can blame our lack of medals on our clean moral conscience, rather than our crap athletes.

I'd be surprised if the mens coxless four doesn't get gold...

[Mikeus Caesar]

Tibet pales in comparison to Darfur. Darfur is the very definition of a genocide and the Chinese government funded the perpetrators .

China claiming their boundaries to be that of a former empire is idiotic. Using that logic they should be split up between Japan, Mongolia, and a half dozen European countries.

Indeed. By that logic, we shouldn't have given them back Hong Kong because it was part of our former empire. But then they'd throw a hissy-fit wouldn't they, because us 'imperialists' are in the wrong. And China is in the right. Because obviously China is never in the wrong...

[Sarmatian]

Hong Kong wasn't British. You got Hong Kong on a lease for 99 years.

Any national olympic commitee that refuses to participate in the Olympics should be fined and/or suspended by the IOC.

[Papewaio]

Hong Kong wasn't British. You got Hong Kong on a lease for 99 years.

Which during that lease period was British... as in laws, taxes, defense and access to Commonwealth countries.

There are plenty of Hong Kong citizens who immigrated with relative ease to Australia.

[El Diablo]

Think that you will struggle to fine countries for non-attendance considering the huge numbers of countires that have boycotted before...

The "West" in Moscow 1980 and The "East" and much of Africa in Los Angles 1984. The West and East because of differing sides the cold war and Africa because of New Zealands terrible decision to permit a South African rugby to tour in 1981.

Sport and Politics are always going to be linked. Look even at events in the Olympics - The Munich killings and the black power salutes for example.

The Oylimpic is a nice idea in a not so nice or ideal world.

[Tribesman]

Any national olympic commitee that refuses to participate in the Olympics should be fined and/or suspended by the IOC.

Fine the IOC for awarding China the games .

Tibet pales in comparison to Darfur. Darfur is the very definition of a genocide and the Chinese government funded the perpetrators .

So did the British and the Indians to name just two more .

[Goofball]

Any national olympic commitee that refuses to participate in the Olympics should be fined and/or suspended by the IOC.

I agree completely. The Olympic games should remain as unpolitical as possible. I think any country that boycotts the games should be disqualified from participating in the next set of games as well.

[Pannonian]

Indeed. By that logic, we shouldn't have given them back Hong Kong because it was part of our former empire. But then they'd throw a hissy-fit wouldn't they, because us 'imperialists' are in the wrong. And China is in the right. Because obviously China is never in the wrong...

Did any Chinese government formally give Tibet its independence, or sign over its control, as was the case with Hong Kong? Or did it achieve de facto independence during a time when the Chinese government wasn't able to contest it? If the latter, did the Chinese government not have the right to reassert its control voer the area when it had the means to do so?

AFAIK successor states are supposed to inherit all the territories and obligations of its predecessor. Eg. The Republic of China observed all the treaties that were signed by its predecessor, Qing China. In its turn, the People's Republic of China observed all the treaties signed by its predecessors that hadn't yet lapsed. Similarly the Republic of China claimed all the territories that belonged to Qing China at the time of the handover, and in turn the People's Republic of China claimed all the territories that belonged to the Republic of China at the time of the handover.